Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
<P>So you have low couplers and high couplers, you know that. But  you dont know which of them if any are at the correct height. The Kadee guage is the best, but if you are in a fix just put a 3x5 index card on the track. The coupler pin should clear the card without touching it but not be too high above it. This isnt an exact measurement but its close enough for now. If couplers are too low the easiest thing to do is buy kadee washers. They are small washers in .010" and .015" (I think) sizes. They go between the truck and the underframe of the car. Installing these will raise the coupler. If the coupler is too high its a little harder. Kadee sells the drop shank couplers but the drop is pretty significant. If it only needs to come down a bit the easiest thing to do is find smaller wheels. But sometimes thats not possible and sometimes it just looks funny. </P> <P>Even though the fix is easier, low couplers are a bigger problem than high ones. They will rub or sometimes even catch turnouts and crossings. This can make derailments, and if it hits in the perfect spot, shorts. Nobody has all of thier couplers totally perfect. Just get them as close as you can and thats all you can do. If you get to a point when they are reliable and the small differences don't bother you. You are close enough.</P>
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community